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We champion folk music and dance at the heart of cultural life, all across England. Can you support the folk arts with a donation today?

Give now

Support our work

We champion folk music and dance at the heart of cultural life, all across England. Can you support the folk arts with a donation today?

Give now

Support our work

We champion folk music and dance at the heart of cultural life, all across England. Can you support the folk arts with a donation today?

Give now
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Open Days

> Take part in a band for a day

> Develop your creativity

> Play by ear

> Learn from inspiring professional musicians

> Explore folk music with other young people

> Find out about the National Youth Folk Ensemble

 27 May 2025 - Cecil Sharp House

Book now
 
28 May 2025 - Exeter Pheonix
 
Book now
 
31 May 2025 - Leeds Conservatoire
 
Book now
 

 

Each Open Day will be

  • CREATIVE – music workshops with highly skilled professional folk musicians
  • INFORMATIVE – Q&A about the National Youth Folk Ensemble
  • FUN – opportunity to meet and play music with other young musicians
  • FREE to attend
     

To register for an Open Day you will need to:

  • be aged 12–18 
  • live in England
  • be able to play confidently on your chosen instrument 

Open Days are open to players of any instrument but not suitable for vocalists. No experience of folk music necessary. All playing and learning will be done by ear – no need to read notation!

National Youth Folk Ensemble Open Days are free to attend, but you need to book in advance. If the cost of travelling would be a barrier to your attending an Open Day, please contact us as we have financial help available. 

If you enjoy the Open Day, you may wish to audition for the National Youth Folk Ensemble. Find out more.


I absolutely loved this experience and it was very empowering playing with others, playing traditional English tunes but making them our own 

Folk is relatively new to me, and this really boosted my confidence.  


New to folk?

 
We have a range of resources to introduce young instrumentalists and their teachers to folk music: 

Folk Music Starting Points

Films to demystify folk music, produced by the National Youth Folk Ensemble creative team. Explore the resource   

Exploring English Folk Music

An interactive performance by renowned folk musicians Sam Sweeney and Rob Harbron with National Youth Folk Ensemble alumni. Explore the resource   

Folk and Traditional Music

A performance by the National Youth Folk Ensemble and folk band Leveret, with accompanying resources for teachers. Explore the resource   

There are many other resources for folk music teaching and learning on our award-winning Resource Bank.

You can also sign up for email updates (select the ‘EFDSS Youth News’ option).



 Image Credit: Camilla Greenwell 

  • Meet the Ensemble
  • Open Days
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Donate to support the National Youth Folk Ensemble
Support the National Youth Folk Ensemble


 

logo: Department for Education / Arts Council England



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English Folk Dance and Song Society, Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent’s Park Road, London NW1 7AY, UK.
Tel: 020 7485 2206 | Email: [email protected] | Registered charity number 305999
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Supported by Arts Council England